The national 30mph speed limit in built up areas was first imposed 74 years ago this week, but research by car insurance expert, Admiral reveals that an increasing number of us would be in favour of reducing it to 20mph.
Admiral surveyed 1,800 motorists and found that 39% believe the speed limit in residential areas should be 20mph, this number has risen from 30% last year and 25% the year before.
Perhaps surprisingly, slightly more men than women favour a reduction in the limit, however 4% of men and 2% of women think the speed limit on residential streets should actually be raised to 40mph.
Sue Longthorn, managing director of Admiral, said, “Motorists have a reputation for being against speed limits, but our evidence shows more and more of them are taking a responsible approach to speeding in towns and cities.
“Evidence shows that cutting speed in built up areas, decreases the number of fatalities following road accidents. Our research suggests that the government wouldn’t have too much opposition if they decided to lower the speed limit to 20mph in residential areas.”
According to RoSPA, two thirds of accidents in which someone is killed or injured happen on roads where the limit is 30mph. If you hit someone at 20mph, they have a 97% of surviving, hit them at 30mph and they have a 80% chance of surviving, while at 35mph they only have a 50% chance of surviving.
Admiral’s research reveals that many motorists are still speeding however, with three quarters saying they do sometimes drive over the speed limit. 79% of men admit speeding compared with 71% of women. But this figure too is falling, two years ago, 87% said they sometimes drive over the speed limit.
However, the number of motorists with speeding convictions has remained the same for the last three years. This suggests that the number of people speeding has not fallen. And the number of motorists with an SP30 conviction, for speeding on public roads is eight times more than the number with an SP50 conviction, for speeding on motorways.
Sue Longthorn, said, “According to our research, around one in five of motorists has a speeding conviction, and this percentage has remained static for the last three years. So the fall in the number of motorists saying they break the speed limit has not yet transferred into the number being convicted.
“The 30mph limit was introduced in 1934 for roads in built up areas, and that limit has remained the same ever since. Of course cars are faster and more powerful now and there are also many, many more of them on our roads. Maybe it is time for a review of speed limits in residential areas.”
Issue date: 17-03-08
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